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TAKE PART IN

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The Regenerative Farm Network 

A place to exchange knowledge and ideas.

North Jersey RC&D has created the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) as a place for farmers to learn and exchange knowledge regarding regenerative and climate-smart farm practices. Through RFN-NJ, farmers can receive technical assistance, training opportunities, speaker-development and farmer-to-farmer networking.

What Will Participants Gain?

North Jersey RC&D will work with partners to provide:

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  • Educational workshops, field days, and meetings.

    • Topics may include mitigation strategies for dealing with increased severe weather; rotational grazing; available farm loans and financial assistance; etc. Members will have input on the content they would like delivered. 

  • Farmer Network Tours: Informative farmer-led walks.

  • 1:1 Technical Assistance (TA) Opportunity:  TA includes annual farm budget preparation; nutrient management planning; TA for implementing conservation practices; or soil testing fees.

  • Steering Committee/Regional Leadership Training: An opportunity for development to become a regional conservation leader and provide input on the direction of RFN-NJ. This will include stipends for time spent for training and training opportunities through the Regional Leadership Training and Steering Commitee.

  • Mentorship opportunity: Starting in 2024, we will be pairing 3 mentors with 3 mentees. This is a flexible program that will be tailored to the needs of the mentees and styles of the mentors to train up new and transitioning farmers to regenerative agriculture.

More Details

more about the
regenerative farm network

Who can join?

​RFN-NJ is open to all farmers interested in learning about climate-smart conservation practices for their farms. Currently, content will be tailored towards small- to mid-sized producers in the northern New Jersey counties of Hunterdon, Morris, Mercer, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. Historically underserved farmers will have priority for technical assistance and mentorship through the program. 

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What is a historically underserved farmer?

Historically underserved farmers and ranchers include beginner, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers. You can learn more clicking here. 

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What is the purpose of the Regenerative Farm Network?

There is a growing need to provide farmers with the technical expertise and tools to build climate resiliency. Farmers are facing more frequent, intense storms and unpredictable weather. The prices of inputs are sky-rocketing. Implementing regenerative, climate-smart and soil health practices can be a tool to help mitigate those pressures and build farm resilience. The RFN-NJ will assist farmers by providing a network of peers and technical experts to learn from and share knowledge around building farm resilience. 

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What will be the role of the Steering Committee and Regional Leadership Training (SC/RLT) participants?

It is important to foster leaders who can serve as a continued resource in New Jersey for farmer-to-farmer learning. A few RFN-NJ members will be selected to receive stipends to support their education and development as part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative. This will include supporting their attendance at training events and speaker/outreach opportunities. These same members will serve on the RFN-NJ Steering Committee and provide input and guidance on the direction of RFN-NJ.

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How can I join?

Joining is simple. You can click the 'Join' button at the bottom of the webpage or contact sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org.

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How is RFN funded?

This work is supported by the Conservation Outreach: Equity through Cooperative Agreements grant through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

Join RFN-NJ

Haven't joined RFN yet? Click the 'Join' button below to fill out a short membership form.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

RFN-NJ Chat & Chews

The RFN-NJ Chat & Chews are Zoom webinars on topics about or relating to regenerative agriculture. Here's our current line-up:

  • Elderberry Production (Wednesday, Jan. 11th, 2024)

  • Grazing Cows, Sheep, & Chickens with Vertical Bifacial Solar Panels (Wednesday, Feb. 28th, 2024. 12pm to 1:15pm)

  • Training Livestock to Eat Weeds with Kathy Voth (Wednesday, March 6th, 2024. 12pm to 1:00pm)

  • City to Country - How to Move Without Losing Your Mind (Wednesday, March 13th, 6pm to 7pm)

  • Check back for new Chat & Chews or join RFN-NJ to receive the newsletter!

  • RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour: Duke Farms
    RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour: Duke Farms
    Thu, May 09
    Hillsborough Township
    RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour: Duke Farms
    May 09, 2024, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
    Hillsborough Township, 1112 Dukes Pkwy W, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844, USA
    Join us for an RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour at Duke Farms with Grazing Program Manager, Lauren Salvatore. Thursday, May 9th from 3-5pm.
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    Learn More & Sign Up
  • RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour: Mitchell Jones
    RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour: Mitchell Jones
    Wed, May 15
    Mountain Top Farm
    RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour: Mitchell Jones
    May 15, 2024, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
    Mountain Top Farm, Exact location TBD: Allens Mills Rd & Montana Rd, Harmony, NJ 07882, USA
    Join us for an RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour at Mountain Top Farm with owner Mitchell Jones and learn about NRCS programs! Wednesday, May 15th, 3-5pm.
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    Learn More & Sign Up

One-to-One Technical Assistance & Soil Testing

Apply now for One-to-One Technical Assistance and Soil Sampling Opportunities including:

 

  • Annual Farm Budget Preparation (Farmer responsible for less than 10% of costs)

  • Technical Assistance to Implement Conservation Practices (Free)

  • Nutrient Management Planning (Free)

  • Soil Testing (Free)

 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and batch processed monthly.

Mentorship Program 2024

RFN-NJ is seeking three mentors and three mentees for the first year of the RFN-NJ Mentorship Program. Mentees and mentors may apply individually and we will work to find the best fit for pairs, or they may apply together and request to be paired. Mentees may be new farmers or experienced farmers who are looking to transition to more regenerative practices. Applications for 2024 are closed.

Steering Committee and Regional Leadership Training 2024

The Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) is seeking six RFN-NJ members to participate as the 2024 RFN-NJ Steering Committee (SC) and take part in the Regional Leadership Training (RLT). Those members will participate in both opportunities over the span of 12 months (early February 2024 to 2025). Applications for 2024 are closed.

Events & Programs

Recent Past Events & Opportunities

Chat & Chew: Elderberry Production

This RFN-NJ Chat & Chew will be a round table discussion with Q&A for both experienced and beginning  farmers who are interested in growing elderberries. Terry Durham of River Hills Harvest will cover risk management and setting up an orchard. Depending on audience interest, he can delve into  anything from planting, harvesting, processing, and marketing.

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Watch the recording here.

RFN-NJ Annual Networking Event

SENDING OUT ROOTS: Tapping into Regenerative Agriculture

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Join the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) on December 5th, 2023 at Duke Farms! Engage in Q&As with fellow farmers on how they tap into the bigger pictures of their farm when making decisions. Discover insights on how they work with their natural environment, communities, and economies and what they've done to overcome challenges.

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Click here to see the agenda.

Soils Field Day

Join the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) with NRCS soil scientist, Fred Schoenagel on Thurs. Nov 2nd, 2023. We'll visit a couple farm fields where Fred will do a soils investigation in both fields. Farmers will learn some insights on what they can look for in their own soils before making management changes or troubleshooting a field that is not performing optimally. We also have a couple exciting demos at the fields! 

In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a boxed lunch at the Prallsville Mill followed by a presentation with consultant Sarah Crooke. Sarah will discuss how to collect soil samples and how to interpret soil lab results, followed by a Q&A. Wrap up the day networking with fellow farmers, discuss regenerative practices, or just hang out!

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Click here to see the agenda.

Farmer Network Tours

Come to learn and network with fellow farmers! RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tours are for RFN-NJ farmers interested in or using regenerative farm practices. Each farmer network tour will focus on a regenerative farm topic. The host will delve into their topic and how they implement regenerative practices into their operation. All guests must register and be members of RFN-NJ. Haven't joined RFN-NJ yet? It's easy! Just fill out a form using the 'Join' button further down the page.

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Tours are wrapped up for this season. Please stay tuned for the 2024 lineup!

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RFN-NJ
 Steering Committee & Regional Leadership TraininG

It is important that farmers are directly involved in shaping RFN-NJ. Six members of RFN-NJ have been selected to be part of the Steering Committee to provide guidance and shape RFN-NJ.

 

To foster leaders who can serve as a continued resource for farmer-to-farmer learning, the Steering Committee members will also be part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative. The Steering Committee will receive mentorship and training to support their education and development into Regional Leaders for regenerative agriculture as part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative.

Steering Committee

RFN-NJ Updates & News

News

MORE SOON TO COME!

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact Sam Loscalzo at sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org or
(908) 574-5368

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